Netflix drama about Jersey City cops filming in N.Y.

The city of Mount Vernon, New York, is doubling as Jersey City for a new "ripped from the headlines" Netflix crime drama.

The Journal News spoke to the owner of an office building recreated to look like Jersey City's south district police station for "Seven Seconds," set for a fall 2017 release. Filming will start this month and last until May.

Whatever. Not that long ago it was unusual for a show set in NYC to be filmed there. You could spot palm trees in poorly framed exterior shots. In turn even LA set shows were filmed in Vancouver to save money. Ever wonder why all the planets in Star Trek looked deserty and the ones in Stargate looked foresty? There might be a dozen reasons for that location, including it's closer to a showrunner or director's home in Westchester.

A contract manufacturer for Reliable Electronics, Friedman inherited the building at 519 S. Fifth Ave. in Mount Vernon from his father, who bought the building in 1952. It was once the headquarters for the Westchester Electric Railroad Company, the company that ran trolleys in Southern Westchester.

“It couldn't be copied today, in my opinion; the walls separating the offices have a brick wall inside, I guess to prevent a fire from spreading from room to room," said Friedman. "There is an oak chair rail throughout the whole building.” Other period detailing includes window frames of decorated oak plus terrazzo floors and marble-sided panels.

Friedman says a scout for the media company dropped by in December to broker the deal. Production starts this month with filming taking place until May, at night from 5 to 11 p.m.

Filmmaker Veena Sud is behind the 10-episode drama, a “ripped from the headlines” story about strained police and community relations after the critical shooting of an African-American teenager by a Jersey City police officer.

So far the production crew has installed a gate and will use the inside lobby and front of the building for the five-month shoot. "All sorts of workers are here setting the place up to look like a police station," said Friedman.

Expect to see 81-year-old Friedman in some background shots. "They said I can be in a part," he said. "I can be an extra. Many of my friends will recognize the building."